NATOA's History
Proven Track Record of Success: Our understanding of how federal communications policies impact local governments and residents allows us to directly influence legislation, regulations, and policy development.
Key Accomplishments in our first 40 years:
- Established the first national network of local governments across the country to address cable franchise, rights-of-way and PEG issues.
- Became first member organization to serve the professional needs of cable-related professionals in local government.
- Advised and assisted local governments in implementing the 1984 and 1992 Cable Acts, and the 1996 Telecommunications Act.
- Successfully lobbied on many national legislative issues that reaffirmed local government authority to manage public property and address communications issues in the best interests of local residents.
- Continues to be the leader in government and consumer organizations in filings before courts and the FCC on vital communications issues.
- Successfully negotiated technical standards with the National Cable Television Association that the FCC adopted.
- Succeeded in modifying FCC rate regulation rules and customer service standards to meet the needs of the consumer.
- Has become a respected voice with the FCC and Congress on broadband issues.
- Educated, trained and supported over 2,000 local government professionals in a variety of communications issues impacting local government.
- NATOA’s efforts have saved local governments hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal and lobbying fees on issues of rights-of-way, franchising, broadband, wireless communications facilities siting and other communications matters.